By Andrew Both
NORTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) - Charley Hoffman charged to a commanding five-stroke victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday but it remains to be seen whether it was enough to earn a spot on the American Ryder Cup team.
Hoffman was a class apart as he compiled 11 birdies in a spectacular nine-under-par 62 at the Boston TPC, the day's best score by three strokes.
He finished at 22-under 262, matching the tournament record low score, while Jason Day (71) bogeyed the last to fall back into a tie for second with compatriot Geoff Ogilvy (66) and Briton Luke Donald (69) at 17-under.
American Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin on Tuesday will announce his four wild card picks to complete the 12-man team that will take on Europe next month.
But whether Pavin puts much stock in one great performance by a guy who arrived here ranked 132nd in the world is the big question.
Hoffman, 33, arrived here with some solid form - three top-10s in his past five starts - but was not considered one of the favorites.
He started the final round four strokes behind overnight leader Day and demolished the star-studded field to claim just his second victory on the PGA Tour.
He jumps to second on the tour's FedEx Cup points list with two of four playoff events completed.
"This is a very special day for me and if Mr. Pavin thinks I'm a good enough pick, I'd love to join the team," the laid-back Californian, who didn't know he was leading until he looked at a leaderboard at the 15th hole, told reporters.
"I went out and won and hopefully I'm on the real short list. I think I'd help the team but I would not be disappointed (not to be picked)."
Asked whether this was the highlight of his career, Hoffman said: "It's a no-brainer, best ever. To shoot 62 on a pretty tough course, it's fun."
BEST SEAT
Ogilvy, who played with Hoffman, was impressed.
"I had the best seat in the house," Ogilvy said. "He hit great shots all day, putted really well, and as soon as he got himself in trouble he'd hole a bunker shot or something like that.
"It a pretty class act and he never looked like doing anything but winning after about three holes."
"As much as I joke about all the bad stuff he made me do at college, he made me feel very comfortable, a 17-year-old kid from Australia moving to Vegas," Scott said.
"It's good to see him playing up to the potential he has. He's always been, in my mind, a great player. He can go low and I like that in a player."
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